Why Paul-Jose M’Poku would be a smart signing for Southampton

Back in April 2015, Daily Mail had claimed that Southampton were interested in signing Paul-Jose M’Poku, who was then on-loan at Italian club Cagliari from Standard Liege.

However, no deal materialized and the winger joined Chievo from Standard Liege after his loan spell at Cagliari expired.

Paul-Jose M’Poku, 27, rejoined Standard Liege in the summer of 2017. The DR Congo international has been in good form since returning to the Belgian club, managing eight goals in 38 appearances across all competitions last season.

The 27-year-old has hit the ground running in the new campaign, registering three goals and as many assists in 16 Belgian Pro League games.

With M’Poku in very good form and consistently producing the goods under manager Michel Preud’homme, Southampton must revive their interest in the winger during the January transfer window.

DR Congo's Paul-Jose M'Poku (L) vies for the ball with Algeria's Adlene Guedioura during the friendly football match between Algeria and DR Congo at Mustapha Tchaker stadium in Blida. (Getty Images) — DR Congo’s Paul-Jose M’Poku (L) vies for the ball with Algeria’s Adlene Guedioura during the friendly football match between Algeria and DR Congo at Mustapha Tchaker stadium in Blida. (Getty Images)

As far as Southampton are concerned, they recently registered back-to-back home victories over Norwich City and Watford but the Austrian boss has a massive task to help the club maintain its top-flight status.

Reinforcements are a must in the mid-season trading period and Hasenhuttl should prioritize signing a defender, considering his side have the worst defensive record in the division. Other than a central defender, the Saints also need a forward to share the burden of scoring goals along with Danny Ings.

Che Adams arrived at the club before the start of the season after a fantastic season with Birmingham City, but he’s failed to live up to the expectations at St Mary’s.

This has seen Ings shoulder the responsibility of scoring goals, while Moussa Djenepo and Nathan Redmond have also shone. But Hasenhuttl will need to address the lack of creativity and goals in January and signing Paul-Jose M’Poku would certainly bring Southampton rewards.

Ralph Hasenhuttl during his time at RB Leipzig. (Getty Images)

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M’Poku, like Redmond, is capable of playing anywhere across the front three but his best position is on the left wing.

He is an excellent dribbler, skilful and a nightmare to defend against for defenders. The DR Congo international backs his ability to take on his marker and beat him or cut inside from the left flank and have a pop at goal. In the video below, one can get a glimpse of his style of play and the qualities he could bring to Southampton.

Verdict

The 27-year-old is an immensely composed finisher and he has the qualities to make an instant impact for Hasenhuttl’s side and help them stay in the top-flight.